Aces’ Wilson speaks out on WNBA pay disparity

A’ja Wilson has been in the WNBA for less than two months, but the Las Vegas Aces’ superstar center is already becoming a face of the league. She has won a Rookie of the Month award, she’s a lock to be named an All-star for the first time, and she’s now stepping up as the voice of the players when it comes to pay inequality.

It started July 1, when Wilson was out to dinner with her father and saw breaking news of NBA star Lebron James signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The specifics of the deal — four years, $154 million — were enough to make Wilson shake her head and pick up her phone.

She tweeted a quick message and sparked a huge debate:

“154M ........... must. be. nice. We over here looking for a M but Lord, let me get back in my lane”

Wilson’s seemingly reasonable take was met with responses that covered the spectrum: Some fans supported her, some non-fans mocked her, some NBA stars showed support, some media types — A’ja Wilson

tried to punch holes in her argument. It ignited such a wide-ranging public conversation that Wilson now finds herself the de facto spokesperson for the issue of fair pay in women’s sports.

Wilson said she didn’t expect such a big response, but she’s happy her tweet got so many people talking.

“This is the first time I’ve actually used my platform in this way to express the way I’m feeling, and to express how we’re all feeling,” Wilson said. “I wasn’t expecting it to blow up, but I’m glad it has. People who know me off the court know I express what’s on my mind, and I can also take the heat.”

Wilson didn’t just take the heat, she dished it out as well. She spent much of the following week engaging in conversation via social media, responding to questions and comments and trying to change minds. And when it was called for, she didn’t hold back from applying a little attitude.

Wilson’s biggest concern was making sure her message was not distorted in the process.

“I love Lebron,” Wilson said. “He’s worth every penny, nickel and dime, and he does good with it. I’ve got nothing against it. It’s just me, thinking about myself as a professional athlete, thinking, ‘Damn, it’s out there, how can we get it as well?’ Not necessarily his number, his contract, even though people made it seem that way… For the women, the respect factor is the biggest thing. We don’t really get the respect we need. It’s not the fans, it’s other people that don’t follow the league. You saw that when I tweeted it out, I got a bunch of men saying, ‘Get back in the kitchen, you don’t deserve to be making [millions] like Lebron,’ totally missing the fact of what’s being said. The league is trying to push not just equal pay but respect. I’m not

People who know me off the court know I express what’s on my mind, and I can also take the heat.”